Transcript Highlights:

• And then that one piece of unannounced visits: they are already doing the announced visits, and they
• I don't really see, like, cause of action, a stricter consequence, because even with the surprise visits
• I don't really see, like, cause of action, a stricter consequence, because even with the surprise visits
• or the critical incidents reports... ...because even with the surprise visits or the critical incidents
• So they can run a report of those participants that have had a high number of ED visits.

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• who have private coverage, people on Apple Health are much less likely to be able to get a dental visit
• around pain in the mouth or if they've had any permanent teeth extracted, if they've had a dental visit
• Dental visit in the last year. And again, we see similar inequities as with the kids' data.
• Lower-income adults are less likely to have had a dental visit.
• So one, I would highlight. preventative visits? We do have a couple of programs.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5899, which would create a chiropractic license endorsement allowing qualified chiropractors to perform chiropractic diagnosis and adjustments on non-human animals. The sponsor described it as a complementary tool to veterinary care, especially in rural areas with limited access to veterinarians. Testimony was mixed: supporters said the bill would expand access to animal chiropractic with training, certification, and veterinary referral to non-chiropractic issues, while opponents from the veterinary community warned about animal and public safety, disease detection, and the lack of a required veterinary referral. The hearing on SB 5899 was suspended and later reopened; testimony concluded with strong support from animal chiropractic practitioners and opposition from veterinarians, and the committee noted 57 signed in pro, 4 con, and 1 other. The committee then held a work session on dental workforce shortages. Presenters from the CORA Foundation, the University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies, tribal dental programs, and the Washington State Dental Association described major access gaps, especially for Apple Health enrollees, rural communities, and communities of color. They highlighted low preventive-care utilization, high rates of untreated decay, workforce vacancies for hygienists and assistants, and the value of career ladders such as community health aides and proposed oral preventive assistants. Several speakers emphasized that training pathways, retention, and sustained Medicaid reimbursement are key to improving access and keeping providers in the system. Senate Bill 6138, requiring a multi-provider system for dental procedures performed under deep sedation, drew testimony centered on patient safety after recent deaths in dental settings. The sponsor said the bill responds to a pattern of tragic incidents and would ensure one person is dedicated to monitoring sedation. Supporters from anesthesiology and some oral surgery groups backed stronger monitoring requirements, while oral surgeons and dental representatives argued the current rules already require multiple trained personnel and that the bill could reduce access and increase costs, especially in rural and Medicaid-serving practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6072, which would update veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules to allow telemedicine-based relationships and limited telehealth services; animal welfare and veterinary telehealth advocates supported it as an access-to-care measure, while the veterinary association sought clearer guardrails and federal-law language. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6094 on pediatric transitional care services, which would create a Medicaid payment pathway and related program changes for residential care for substance-exposed infants; supporters said the model helps infants and parents, improves outcomes, and is financially unsustainable under current funding, and the hearing began with testimony in favor before time expired.

Transcript Highlights:

• emergency room visits.
• in total more visits than their weeks of life on september 18th 2022 during yet another ER visit we
• There are 5.1 million visitors that visit our area of Walton County.
• Over 142 million people came from out of state last year to visit us. This is paradise.
• Over 142 million people came from out of state last year to visit us.

Summary: The committee first took up CS for Senate Bill 304, which would address child protective investigations involving children with certain genetic or medical conditions that can mimic signs of abuse. Senator Sharif and several family members and advocates described cases in which children were removed after injuries were initially misread as abuse, and argued the bill would give parents more opportunity to obtain qualified medical opinions. The committee adopted a substitute amendment that removed language imposing analysis duties on certain medical professionals, then passed the bill favorably after testimony in support from the Florida chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics and several affected families. The committee then considered SB 1430 on post-judgment execution proceedings for terrorism victims, SB 96 on relief for Jacob Rogers, SB 382 on affordable housing rent agreements, SB 4 and SB 6 on claims bills for Patricia Armini and Jose Correa, SB 1142 on release of conservation easements, SB 658 on waiver or release of liens, SB 28 and SB 30 on claims involving South Broward Hospital District and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office, SB 24 on relief for Mandy Penny Lemon, SB 72 on campaign funds for child care expenses, and SB 1622 on recreational customary use of beaches. Most of these bills were explained by their sponsors as narrow relief or technical measures, and the committee heard a mix of support and opposition from claimants, local governments, industry groups, and advocacy organizations. Several bills drew substantive debate. On SB 382, members discussed rent stability and whether the bill should better address lease language and future rent increases; the amendment and bill were both reported favorably. On SB 1142, members raised concerns about environmental and drainage impacts and whether releases of conservation easements should be mandatory or discretionary, but the bill still passed favorably. On SB 72, members questioned the scope of allowable campaign child care expenses and the need for stronger guardrails against abuse; the bill nevertheless passed favorably. On SB 1622, testimony sharply divided between supporters of restoring public beach access and opponents defending private property rights; debate continued when the transcript ended, so no final vote on that bill is reflected here.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Capitol is the most visited building on the complex.
• ,</c><00:03:29.519><c> working,</c> whether they're visiting, working, whether they're visiting, working
• The capital is the<00:04:40.639><c> most</c><00:04:40.800><c> visited</c><00:04:41.280><c> building</
• c><00:04:41.520><c> on</c><00:04:41.759><c> the</c> the most visited building on the the most visited
• 12.560><c> be</c><00:16:12.720><c> no</c> Into the Capitol, and there should be no change in their visit

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson and State Patrol Colonel Christina Bogey announced that weapon screening will begin Tuesday at the Minnesota State Capitol at the start of the 2026 legislative session. They said the change is based on an independent security assessment and the Axtell report’s top recommendation, and framed it as an added layer of protection rather than a weapons ban or a change in state law. Both emphasized that the Capitol will remain open, accessible, and welcoming while reducing preventable risks, citing heightened threats to public officials and the recent murders and shootings involving Minnesota lawmakers and their families. Bogey outlined the screening plan: visitors will use four public access points, with the south ground-level entrance as the primary entry, while other exterior doors will not be open for public entry. She said the process should take only seconds for most people, with bags going through separate scanners and additional screening only if needed. The Capitol will close to the general public at 4:30 p.m. on weekdays, though accommodations will be made when hearings or floor sessions run later. She also said the entrances and screening areas are ADA accessible and that staff will be available to help guide visitors. In questions, officials said prohibited items are defined by statute and administrative rules and referred reporters to the State Patrol website for the full list. They confirmed that lawful permit-to-carry holders may still bring firearms, but must declare the permit, show government ID, and go through screening; elected officials are exempt, while staff are not. They also said the State Patrol will fund the rollout from its own budget, with costs to be evaluated over time, and that tunnel key-card access will be restricted to everyone. The briefing ended with a plan to demonstrate the screening equipment upstairs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I know we have many visitors visiting the campus since it is not a regular school day, and that our members
• are visiting with their constituents.
• Our members are visiting with their constituents in the hallway and also testifying on their bills in
• Within this bill that would compel an emergent or urgent follow-up medical visit to ensure the child's
• It also decreases emergency room visits, missed school for children, and missed work for parents.

Summary: The House Education Committee first heard House Bill 2246, which would update school discipline rules for firearm-related violations. Committee staff explained that the bill extends existing firearm expulsion and readmission provisions to charter schools, state tribal education compact schools, the School for the Blind, the Center for Deaf and Hard of Hearing Youth, and educational service districts, and would allow governing boards to deny readmission or limit participation in activities after a firearm-related incident. Representative Lowe said the bill was prompted by a local incident and was intended to give districts more flexibility and clarity while still ensuring students continue receiving educational services. Committee members questioned how the bill interacts with constitutional rights to public education, whether it applies to imitation firearms or social media threats, and whether the school board or administration should make the initial discipline decision. OSPI testified “other,” noting concern about limiting appeals to one reconsideration and citing 48 firearm-related expulsions and 198 suspensions in 2023-24. Team Child testified in opposition, arguing the bill would make reentry harder and could unnecessarily exclude students from extracurriculars after they had served their discipline period. The public hearing on HB 2246 closed with 246 pro, 7 con, and 1 other signed in. The committee then heard House Bill 2360, which would allow public and private schools to maintain stock albuterol under a statewide standing order for use in asthma or other respiratory emergencies. Staff described the bill as authorizing trained school personnel or nurses to administer school-supplied albuterol in certain circumstances, including on school property, buses, and sanctioned excursions, with limited liability protections and a refusal option for employees not wishing to administer it. Representative Donaghy said the bill was meant to address life-threatening asthma attacks, especially when a student’s own inhaler is unavailable or when emergency response times are long. OSPI and the Washington State Nurses Association/School Nurse Organization of Washington testified in support, emphasizing the prevalence of asthma, the bill’s permissive nature, and the need for a standing order. The Department of Health had sent a letter asking to strike one section, and some witnesses raised concerns about administering albuterol to students without a prior prescription or diagnosis. Opponents, including a school nurse, argued the bill should wait until the state has clearer protocols, more training, and better staffing, and said nurses should not be asked to diagnose or medicate without physician orders. Supporters, including a pediatric pulmonologist and school nurses, said stock albuterol is safe, can prevent emergency room visits and deaths, and should be paired with parent notification and follow-up care. The public hearing on HB 2360 closed with 113 pro, 2 con, and 1 other signed in.

Transcript Highlights:

• Everyone in our division is on the phone, we're doing site visits, we are building these relationships
• We'll be visiting Webers Falls 360 elderberry wine and, uh, Horham, Oklahoma, which produces Shoulder
• I'm just looking for trends in What are our visitations?
• So, there are a few different metrics that we can use because not everybody that visits a state park
• It's also why you see the decline on that goal number one where it's increasing park visitation.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I have not visited directly with Representative Miller, and I look forward to doing so, but I did not
• I have not visited directly with Representative Miller, and I look forward to doing so, but I did not
• Dan Roe, Visit Panama City Beach. Dan Roe, Visit Panama City Beach. You're recognized.
• Cary Post, Visit Tallahassee. way with the tourist development tax.
• Cary Post, visit Tallahasse. Carrey Post, Visit Tallahassee. You're recognized. Thank you, Mr.

Summary: The Ways and Means Committee met on March 20, 2025, and first approved HB 4025, creating the Duke Farm Stewardship District in Lee County, on a 17-0 vote. The committee then advanced HJR 1215, which proposes a constitutional amendment to exempt agricultural tangible personal property from property tax, after extended debate about the fiscal impact on counties, especially rural and fiscally constrained ones; it passed 16-1. HB 411 also passed unanimously after an amendment, extending affordable housing tax exemption treatment to certain nonprofit projects on leased land, including Habitat for Humanity projects. The committee likewise approved CS/HB 669, allowing local governments to purchase certain unrated bonds, and CS/HB 4017, codifying the Vermont Drainage District charter in Charlotte County, both without opposition. The committee also approved HJR 1039, which would let the Legislature prevent assessed-value increases for homestead properties that are improved to mitigate flood damage, and the related implementing bill HB 1041; both passed 17-0. Public testimony on these items included some opposition to the flood-related amendment, but no floor debate changed the outcome. The final major item was CS/HB 1221 by Rep. Miller, which would require local option taxes to be renewed by voter referendum every eight years, with longer terms allowed for bonded projects. That bill drew the most extensive testimony and debate, with counties, tourism groups, and local officials warning about impacts on tourism funding, infrastructure, schools, and public safety, while supporters argued for taxpayer accountability and periodic review. After debate, the committee reported the bill favorably on a 13-4 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• learned a lot about what the CCRCs are and do and provide for people, and I've had the opportunity to visit
• “And also share any ideas for any potential site visits.
• As I said before, it would be great if we could do a site visit, so that would require a bit of travel
• we are, as I said, looking for recommendations as to where it would be a great place for us to all visit
• We're going to consolidate that and use that to determine our final agendas, site visits, and guest speakers

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The meeting was the introductory session of the new Commission on Aging and Independence focused on continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). Co-chairs Senator Pat Jehlen and committee staff introduced the commission’s purpose, and members and stakeholders from AARP Massachusetts, the Executive Office of Aging and Independence, LeadingAge Massachusetts, SEIU Local 1199, the Alzheimer’s Association, and the Attorney General’s office briefly introduced themselves and described their interests. Several participants emphasized the value of CCRCs for aging in place, while also noting concerns about affordability, accessibility, resident rights, dementia supports, and the need for clearer complaint and oversight processes. The commission reviewed the basic definition of a CCRC, including the requirement for housing plus health-related services, a life contract, and an entrance fee, and discussed how Massachusetts law defines entrance fees and their return. Staff explained that the commission was created by Chapter 197 of the Acts of 2024 and is charged with studying CCRC contracts, consumer impacts, financial viability, entrance fees, oversight and enforcement, advertising practices, and procedures for closure or change of ownership. The commission also outlined its deadline to submit recommendations by August 1, 2025. Because quorum issues and technical problems limited the session, no substantive votes were taken. Instead, the meeting focused on logistics: members will receive a survey to suggest priorities, site visits, and outside presenters; the group plans monthly meetings with two in June; and a public hearing may be held earlier in the process so feedback can shape the agenda. Staff also noted that ethics training for members was still being arranged.

Transcript Highlights:

• A child's first dental visit should begin around their first birthday.
• Visit a dentist for regular checkups, ask about sealants for permanent molars, and aim to see a dentist
• I had the opportunity to visit an all-woman apprenticeship program called Valley Build Now in Fresno
• Liz was 52 years old and was coming to visit us from Boise, Idaho. ...was 52 years old and was coming
• to visit us from Boise, Idaho.

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum present, heard a prayer and pledge, welcomed a seventh-grade class from Contra Costa Jewish Day School, and made routine announcements. The body then took up two resolutions on the floor: SR 82 by Senator Pérez recognizing Children’s Dental Health Month and emphasizing the importance of early oral health, Medi-Cal dental access, and disparities in childhood tooth decay; and SR 84 by Senator Caballero recognizing Women in Construction Week and calling attention to workforce shortages, apprenticeship pathways, and the need to expand opportunities for women in the trades. Both resolutions were adopted unanimously by roll call vote, with 31 ayes and 0 nos. Senators also announced upcoming budget subcommittee meetings, including hearings on the Office of Emergency Services and the Department of Justice. The chamber then heard several adjourn-in-memory requests, including one for the victims of a fatal avalanche near Truckee and another for Camille Moran of San Francisco, a transgender advocate and artist. The presiding officer noted a birthday for Senator Hurtado and made lighthearted remarks about an “artificial intelligence” experiment running the meeting. The Senate announced it would remain in recess until later in the day for an adjournment motion and would reconvene on Monday, March 9, 2026, at 2 p.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This RS 32994 deals with visitation of children and basically it's a good, simple bill to balance parent
• the summer—when an incident was described to me where the department was requiring children to do visitation
• So again, what we're looking at here is making sure that we're not sending children into visitation if
• there are substantiated claims... ...sending children into visitation if there are substantiated claims
• So big part of the bill, two things: One, we're not going to force kids to go to visitation in substantiated

Summary: The Senate Health and Welfare Committee considered several RS drafts for introduction. RS 331-128, brought by Sen. Kelly Anthon, would amend Idaho law so chiropractors can prescribe certain vitamins, minerals, and fluids they are already authorized to administer, allowing them to purchase those items from pharmacies or distributors; it was moved to print. RS 33023, introduced by Sen. Mark Harris, would amend involuntary commitment law to include tribal health care facilities as acceptable holding sites and tribal police officers as peace officers for initial mental health crisis evaluations; it was also moved to print without opposition. RS 32893, introduced by Sen. Carl Birke, was described as a code cleanup bill removing outdated language from the Commission for the Blind and Visually Impaired statutes; the committee voted to print it. RS 32994, brought by Sen. Melissa Wintrow, would codify child visitation protections in cases of substantiated physical or sexual abuse and clarify that courts may consider a parent’s incarceration when termination of parental rights is sought; after a question about judicial feedback, it was moved to print and approved. The committee also heard RS 33184 from Sen. Julie Van Orden, which would establish the Idaho Rural Health Transformation Program and a legislative oversight committee to monitor use of anticipated federal rural health funds, including recommendations on subgrants and spending. Van Orden said the committee would ensure legislative oversight of how the money is distributed, with rural representation built into the membership. A senator asked whether this was the same as a governor-led task force referenced in budget language; Van Orden clarified that the bill creates a separate legislative oversight body, distinct from the governor’s application-related committee. The motion to introduce and print RS 33184 passed on a voice vote with one nay. The committee then adjourned, noting no meeting the next day, a Thursday meeting, and an upcoming hearing on the Department of Health and Welfare budget and programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's HB 486, relative to grandparents visitation rights. If I may. >> You may. Thank you.
• Um, they wanted to add whether the grandparents had requested and were denied visitation.
• I mean the initial intent I think is good because, uh, grandparents can't get visitation if there's not
• do we say no, when do we allow a judge to say no to parental rights and grant the grandparents visitation
• to parental rights and grant the to parental rights and grant the grandparents<00:12:06.480><c> visitation

Committee: Senate Children and Family Law

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship
• As President Trump himself observed during his state visit to Britain last autumn, the bond of kinship
• Speaker, this is by no means my first visit to Washington, D.C., the capital of this great republic.
• It is, in fact, my 20th visit to the United States and my first as King and Head of the Commonwealth.
• He visited in 1939 with my beloved grandmother, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I was pleased to be joined by President Pro Tem McGuire on a visit to the Superior Court.
• I was pleased to be joined by President Pro Tem McGuire on a visit to the Superior Court of Mendocino
• County and by Speaker Rivas on a visit to the Superior Court of Monterey County last year.
• These visits create a greater understanding of the operational challenges facing courts and how courts
• Through your visits to our courts, you will also see and hear from dedicated judges, court executive

Summary: The California Legislature met in joint convention for the annual State of the Judiciary address, with judges and justices from across the state in attendance along with Governor Newsom and other statewide officials. The opening included prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by the formal introduction of Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the California Supreme Court justices. Speakers emphasized the importance of judicial independence, the courts’ role in protecting rights and democracy, and the value of collaboration between the legislative and judicial branches. Chief Justice Guerrero focused on the state of the judicial branch, beginning with budget pressures from prior cuts and noting partial restoration in the governor’s proposed budget, while urging continued stable funding for courts, court-appointed counsel, and judgeships in high-need counties. She highlighted the expansion and benefits of remote proceedings, ongoing judicial vacancies, workload growth, and efforts to improve data collection and case-weighting. She also discussed implementation of the CARE Act, the court interpreter workforce pilot, CASA and kin-first child welfare efforts, courthouse security and facilities projects, and the judiciary’s work on generative AI guardrails. A major portion of the address addressed the recent problems with the California bar exam and broader State Bar oversight. Guerrero said the court would pursue remedies for examinees harmed by the failures and would strengthen admissions oversight, including the role of the Committee of Bar Examiners. She also reiterated support for pro bono legal services and discussed immigration-related courthouse access, citing state laws limiting cooperation with federal immigration enforcement in courthouses. The convention concluded after remarks thanking the judiciary and Legislature, and the joint session adjourned without any recorded votes or formal legislative action.

Transcript Highlights:

• A few program examples include home visiting services that promote healthy child development and free
• I support that in terms of people visiting neighboring states, visiting family, sometimes going to funerals
• We're best known for overseeing our Healthy Families Massachusetts home visiting program.
• We're best known for overseeing our Healthy Families, Massachusetts Home Visiting Program.
• Our work in home visiting is a powerful example of what's possible.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The hearing was an informational and oversight session of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, with chairs and members hearing agency updates from several commissioners. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition described its maternal and child health work, including home visiting, early intervention, WIC, newborn hearing screening, and cross-agency efforts on prenatal substance exposure, respite care, children’s vision, and maternal health initiatives. DPH emphasized that federal grant cuts, layoffs, and the loss of data systems such as PRAMS would weaken services and planning, and members asked about Title V funding and the impact of federal uncertainty. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlighted communication access services, interpreter and CART referrals, emergency after-hours support, family navigation, and independent living services. Commissioners and members discussed the shortage of ASL interpreters and the need to expand training pipelines, including partnerships with colleges and possible ASL programming for younger students. The Department of Developmental Services reported serving nearly 50,000 people and focused on youth and adult services, transition-age supports, autism services, self-direction, respite, and new high-acuity residential models. Members asked about respite availability, self-direction outcomes, and workforce shortages; DDS said it was expanding clinical capacity and provider rates while monitoring possible federal Medicaid, SNAP, and immigration-related impacts. The Commission for the Blind described services for about 28,000 legally blind residents, most of whom are older adults, including social rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, children’s services, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 supports. The commissioner discussed a UMass-based effort to build the workforce pipeline for blindness services and said the agency was watching federal restructuring but had not yet seen direct cuts. MassAbility’s leadership then warned about major federal changes affecting Social Security disability determinations, including staff restructuring, office closures, and a new overpayment repayment policy, and said the agency was preparing for possible increases in claims and uncertainty around reallotment dollars that help fund services. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission closed the hearing with an update on its abuse investigations and protective services for adults with disabilities. DPPC reported rising hotline calls and investigations, a growing caseload, its sexual assault response team, the abuser registry, and a new interagency protective services integration system funded by ARPA dollars through 2027. The agency also flagged new federal rules that could affect funding eligibility and said it may need statutory changes to comply. Members asked about funding, reporting pathways, and how complaints reach DPPC, and the commissioner said the agency uses both mandated reporting and proactive outreach to identify and respond to abuse.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> she visits doors to advocate for HCAN. she visits doors to advocate for HCAN.
• One of the very safe place to visit.
• So definitely we need to visit this bill.
• Um and need to um visit this this bill.
• Um and then here visiting the capitol.

Bills: HB2198 , HB2021 , HB1881 , HB1964 , HB1990 , HB2151 , HB2599 , HB2414

Keywords: gambling, prediction markets, Hawaii gambling laws, financial contracts, ethical concerns, electric bicycles, micro-mobility devices, safety regulations, traffic laws, insurance exemption, high-speed electric devices, land use, ropeway, transportation, state regulation, government exemption, building code, permitting process, training, state council

Transcript Highlights:

• Over nine million visitors visit our state parks each year. The number is growing.
• I know we've visited, and I'm a big outdoorsman. Love to hunt. Hunting fish and all that.
• I'll be looking into that and hopefully visit some more about it. Thank you.
• And I'm happy to visit with you. I have my security folks. I will... Fair enough.
• Appreciate the opportunity to visit with you today.

Committee: House Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I visit the Torrance County Detention Facility every week with a team of volunteers to provide legal
• And we do visitation at the Otero Detention Facility.
• I've had the opportunity to visit Milan and Cibola County quite often. ...visit Milan and Cibola County
• Now I can say I haven't visited the others, and of course when you hear about a death, and one, as you
• Next, I want to move to Representative Reeb's concern about her experience and visiting the facility.

Bills: SB100

Committee: House House Judiciary

Keywords: burglary, aggravated burglary, dwelling, criminal law, property rights, 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• uh, I was suggest that you check in how much money hunters spend in the up country, uh, on typical visits
• I usually go up for one or two visits, four to five days, spending thousands of dollars on lodging, meals
• uh, I was suggest that you check in how much money hunters spend in the up country, uh, on typical visits
• I usually go up for one or two visits, four to five days, spending thousands of dollars on lodging, meals
• Pittsburgh I don't know I for visiting Pittsburgh I don't know I can't<00:51:48.359><c> speak</c><00

Committee: Senate Energy and Natural Resources

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Governments South meeting in Charleston, South Carolina, and we actually had the opportunity to go visit
• Could you share a little bit about what we learned and from that visit what inspired you to move forward
• Governments South meeting in Charleston, South Carolina, and we actually had the opportunity to go visit
• Could you share a little bit about what we learned and from that visit what inspired you to move forward
• some miraculous turnaround also visited some miraculous turnaround schools<00:43:02.680><c> and</c><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Primary and Secondary Education Committee met and first considered Senate Concurrent Resolution 43, a proposal tied to the Southern Regional Education Board’s crisis recovery network. Senator West and Dr. Puit explained that, for an additional $10,000 in dues, Kentucky would help create a network of 40 trained counselors in each of the 16 Southern states to provide post-crisis stabilization and psychological first aid after events such as the Marshall County shooting. They emphasized that the effort would be complementary to local and state response, would run through the school district, would not replace therapeutic services, and would allow districts to coordinate parent notifications and other protocols as usual. Members asked about parent involvement and whether pastoral counselors could participate; the presenters said local districts would remain in charge and that pastors could be included if properly credentialed. The committee then voted, and SCR 43 passed with the expression of opinion that it should pass. The committee next took up Senate Bill 207, the School of Innovation Act, with a committee substitute. Senator West described the bill as creating an optional path for districts to contract with an outside education service provider for a three-year school-of-innovation model, aimed at turning around low-performing schools or supporting other schools that want to innovate. He said the model would preserve core district functions such as transportation, facilities, and SEEK funding, while allowing waivers from certain statutes and regulations inside the school building. The committee substitute also added a high-quality instructional materials component, creating a vendor-supported repository of vetted instructional materials that KDE would still control, with testing data used to evaluate whether the materials were improving outcomes. Members questioned how the proposal differed from existing district-of-innovation law and what safeguards would exist for students. Senator West said the bill would repeal the unused district-of-innovation framework and replace it with a clearer process and guardrails, including KDE oversight, attendance rules, and authority to shut down a school arrangement for financial malfeasance. He also said the model could work with local partners, including superintendents’ associations, and could be used by magnet or other schools, not only low-performing ones. The discussion also touched on whether the bill would allow more flexibility in choosing third-party providers and whether it could support longer-term recovery and even philanthropy in schools. The transcript ends during the discussion of SB 207, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you for visiting the Senate meeting of conference. >> And I just have to poll the House members
• Thank<00:03:53.600><c> you</c><00:03:53.680><c> for</c><00:03:54.440><c> visiting</c><00:03:54.960><c
• > the</c><00:03:55.200><c> Senate</c> Thank you for visiting the Senate Thank you for visiting the Senate

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Summary: The meeting briefly opened as a committee of conference on SB 538 FN. Representative Boles explained that the agreed compromise was to replace Section 2 of SB 538 with the language of Section 7 of House Bill 1738 as amended by the Senate, saying this would be an acceptable solution and likely satisfactory to the Governor’s office. Members present voiced concurrence, and the House members were polled on whether to place the bill on consent; they agreed. No opposition was raised, and the motion carried unanimously. The committee then thanked participants and closed the hearing.